Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (I don't know which translation I read).
Imagine the plot of three or four excellent movies woven together. It struck me how little human nature changes over time and across cultures. It also features some fascinating Russian history as a backdrop. As a person who almost exclusively reads non-fiction, it changed my view of how powerful fiction can be. I can't fathom what must've been in Tolstoy's mind to have the ability to create something like this.
Honorable mention to The Brothers Karamozov by Fyodor Dostoevsky.
I'd like to learn more about Russian literature - I don't know if it's these authors and books that grabbed me, or if it's something larger.
19th c Russian literature is awesome. It might be personal, but Russian literature has a very special place in my heart. I recommend reading other works of Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky. I also strongly recommend Gogol and Chekhov.
Imagine the plot of three or four excellent movies woven together. It struck me how little human nature changes over time and across cultures. It also features some fascinating Russian history as a backdrop. As a person who almost exclusively reads non-fiction, it changed my view of how powerful fiction can be. I can't fathom what must've been in Tolstoy's mind to have the ability to create something like this.
Honorable mention to The Brothers Karamozov by Fyodor Dostoevsky.
I'd like to learn more about Russian literature - I don't know if it's these authors and books that grabbed me, or if it's something larger.